Information and Post-Treatment Instructions for Endodontic Patients

• Endodontics, or Root Canal Therapy, is a dental specialty devoted to saving teeth in which the nerves are infected.  Treatment is usually relatively comfortable.  However, reactions such as swelling or tenderness sometimes occur.  While these reactions may prolong treatment, they do not affect the success of treatment.  Complications are rare.

• After endodontic therapy, we will place a temporary filling to seal the opening. However, your tooth will require a permanent restoration (i.e., filling or crown.)  Our office does not perform this procedure, and it is not included in our fee.  You need to return to your dentist to have a crown or other restoration placed on the tooth to protect and restore it to full function.  The proper final restoration is essential to ensure success.

• When treatment is complete, we will send a report and radiograph to your dentist for use in preparing your crown or restoration.  When you are discharged from our office, call your dentist for an appointment for the permanent restoration.

• Your tooth may be sensitive to touch for several days, may throb, or occasionally have a sharp twinge.  This is not unusual and you should not be alarmed.  If needed, take two aspirin, Advil, or Tylenol every four hours.  Bathing the treated area with very warm salt water (about one minute three times a day) during the next two or three days helps the tissue to heal.

• To avoid possibly breaking the tooth or filling, do not chew on the tooth until all root canal treatments are completed and your general dentist has completed the permanent restoration.

•  Contact your Endodontist right away if you develop any of the following:
•       a visible swelling inside or outside your mouth;
•       an allergic reaction to medication, including rash, hives, or itching (nausea is not an allergic reaction);
•       a return of your original symptoms;
•       your bite feels uneven.         

If you call, please have your pharmacy phone number handy in case we need to call in a prescription for you.